Ignazio Stern, "The Repentance of Peter," oil on canvas, 1721-1722
The painting "The Repentance of Peter" (1721-1722) by Ignazio Stern, oil on canvas measuring H 92 x W 73.5 cm, framed H 118 x W 100 cm, depicts one of the most intense and pathos-filled Gospel episodes in Christian tradition.
The painting depicts Saint Peter at the moment of repentance, after denying Jesus out of fear, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. The apostle, remembering Christ's prophecy at the cockcrow, goes out and weeps bitterly.
Iconographic elements aid identification:
The gold and silver keys symbolize the power of the Church.
The rooster represents denial; the blue and yellow robes and white beard are traditional attributes.
The canvas, from a private collection, is not cited in studies, but can be confidently attributed to Ignazio Stern due to his recognizable style, which combines Emilian classicism, Roman Baroque, and Nordic influences.
Stern was born in Bavaria, initially trained with his father, and soon moved to Rome. He subsequently worked for a long time in Forlì in the school of Carlo Cignani, where he created his first mature works. Around 1720, his painting evolved towards softer forms and more delicate colors.
The painting is likely dated between 1720 and 1722, the final years of his Forlì period, when the artist achieved a balance between classical composure and a softer, more refined sensibility.
Comparisons with other works confirm the attribution, making this Penitent Saint Peter a significant addition to Stern's catalogue, one of the most elegant painters of eighteenth-century Emilia and Rome.
